Epidemic of spirit infects campus
David Haut
Issue date: 9/5/03 Section: Diversions
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It's infectious.
What began as a Campus Activities Board meeting proposal has now become a full-fledged club, and it's spreading all over campus.
"We wanted to address the issue of school spirit," said Julie Blackford, director of Student Activities. "Southern has been lacking in the past."
"We want to increase student involvement," said Adam Griffin, resident director. "Some people want to come [to sporting events] but don't because no one else does. We want students to get the most out of their college years. Sports are a part of that."
Strong student following has led to the creation of Gang Green, a student club dedicated to school spirit. Any Southern student can join for the cost of $25.
"We'll use every bit of the money," Griffin said. "The money is also a sense of ownership. People paid money to join, so they'll want to get everything out of it they can."
And they will. Members get a T-shirt, reserved seating at all home football and basketball games, free tailgating open exclusively to Gang Green members and spirit gear for use during the games.
However, it's not a strictly run club.
"We want everybody to have fun," Blackford said. "We want them to paint their faces, get crazy. We're there in case things get out of hand."
"The only thing we want to prevent from happening is the use of profanity," Griffin said.
In addition to increasing student awareness at football and basketball games, Blackford and Griffin hope to increase student involvement at all of Southern's sporting events.
"We want people to go to the soccer games, the baseball games, the softball games," Griffin said. "We're not restricted to football and basketball."
Gang Green's membership currently has over fifty students, but Griffin and Blackford hope to have 75 this year.
"We're hoping this is the spark that gets people going," Blackford said.
"We hope it snowballs."
Students interested in joining are encouraged to do so. Any Southern student can register at the Student Activities Office or during the all-campus tailgate at Southern's first home football game.
What began as a Campus Activities Board meeting proposal has now become a full-fledged club, and it's spreading all over campus.
"We wanted to address the issue of school spirit," said Julie Blackford, director of Student Activities. "Southern has been lacking in the past."
"We want to increase student involvement," said Adam Griffin, resident director. "Some people want to come [to sporting events] but don't because no one else does. We want students to get the most out of their college years. Sports are a part of that."
Strong student following has led to the creation of Gang Green, a student club dedicated to school spirit. Any Southern student can join for the cost of $25.
"We'll use every bit of the money," Griffin said. "The money is also a sense of ownership. People paid money to join, so they'll want to get everything out of it they can."
And they will. Members get a T-shirt, reserved seating at all home football and basketball games, free tailgating open exclusively to Gang Green members and spirit gear for use during the games.
However, it's not a strictly run club.
"We want everybody to have fun," Blackford said. "We want them to paint their faces, get crazy. We're there in case things get out of hand."
"The only thing we want to prevent from happening is the use of profanity," Griffin said.
In addition to increasing student awareness at football and basketball games, Blackford and Griffin hope to increase student involvement at all of Southern's sporting events.
"We want people to go to the soccer games, the baseball games, the softball games," Griffin said. "We're not restricted to football and basketball."
Gang Green's membership currently has over fifty students, but Griffin and Blackford hope to have 75 this year.
"We're hoping this is the spark that gets people going," Blackford said.
"We hope it snowballs."
Students interested in joining are encouraged to do so. Any Southern student can register at the Student Activities Office or during the all-campus tailgate at Southern's first home football game.